Oil and gas boom may be on the 'horizon' here

The Daily & Sunday Jeffersonian's annual Progress edition, aptly called "Horizons," could not be more appropriate for the most exciting and thought-provoking stories in Guernsey County and surrounding area that have surfaced since last summer.

The discovery of oil and gas reserves in the Utica Shale formation, which envelops the eastern part of the state, has community leaders gushing over the possibilities of an industry that could fuel the area's economy and finally bring prosperity to the orphaned counties of Appalachia.

"The oil and gas industry will have a huge impact on this area, and Cambridge's location and interstate access offers even bigger opportunities," said Bill Eischeid of the Gulfport Energy Corp. in Oklahoma, at a recent meeting of the Guernsey Energy Coalition in Cambridge.

Since the discovery of the Utica Shale formation, reported to be one of the largest oil and gas shale formations in the country, this economically depressed area is holding its collective breath for an economic boom.

The natural gas-rich Utica shale deposits that have everyone's attention are under Guernsey, Belmont and Harrison counties, and beyond.

"I am here to offer an overview of who we are and how we operate," said Eischeid. "Gulfport is a multi-national company involved with a multitude of businesses -- from the construction of rigs to services associated with the entire process, such as surveying, the infrastructure, laying pipeline and peripheral local businesses.

"We have already purchased (rights to) more than 7,000 acres in northern Guernsey County and are negotiating for more. There are lots of 'mom and pop' companies in small towns here and in Noble County. We know how important it is to be able deal with local people.

"We are also here to check out the lay of the land. There are lots of people in the oil and gas business; we want to make sure everyone is treated fairly. Production depends on the target area and the geology."

Ohio Department of Natural Resources representative David Ball, said, "We are geared up for the boom. Guernsey County will see a lot of activity in the near future ... Trucks are pouring into the area of the AEP ReCreational leased land site. This is the start of something big. Hold onto your hat, we are in for a ride."

Ball said pre-site inspections during the construction of the drilling pod are on a daily basis.

"We are working with the companies to make sure they follow our rules."

"Many people question how hydraulic fracturing will affect our underground water table. Actually, there is more concern about contamination above ground than underground. Every chemical used in hydraulic fracturing must be posted at every drilling site. On average, 99.5 percent of fracturing fluids and are comprised of fresh water and

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compounds which are injected into deep shale gas formations, and are typically confined by thousands of feet of rock layers." said Greco. "Other concerns focus on the infrastructure and how all those

trucks will damage the roads. All roads traveled by trucks or equipment used in the oil and gas drilling process will be repaired or replaced."

In addition to highway maintenance and road construction, the company also conducts hazard surveys, right-of-way and general vegetation clearing and seismic drilling.

"This is a huge undertaking."

Visit www.cleanharbors.com to learn more about environmental safety.

"The economic benefits, most of the jobs created will stay in this area, and the reinvestment in the community will bring in millions of dollars to local coffers in Guernsey, Noble, Muskingum, Belmont and Jefferson counties," said

Shawn Bennett, field director for Energy In Depth -- the Ohio Project.

"We are a facilitator of information on shale formation for regulatory agencies," said Bennett. "For more information about the Ohio Project, visit EnergyInDepth.org.

Other attendees involved in the industry were Charles Hammontree, CEO and president of Hammontree & Associates, Ltd., and Michael Vale, partner/project manager at Hammontree, headquartered in Canton, are engineers, planners and surveyors.

"We design well sites, bridges and any civil engineering project. We get permits, inspectors and analyses for bridges, highways and well sites. We do everything above ground," said Hammontree.

Visit the company's website at www.hammontree-engineers.com.

The Guernsey Energy Coalition was established by Cambridge Area Chamber of Commerce President Jo Sexton who moderates a monthly gathering of representatives from local businesses, agencies, organizations and specialized governmental agencies who meet with guest speakers associated with land acquisitions, the drilling process, production and regulation of the oil and gas industry.